Chiropractor for Sprains and Strains in Anchorage, AK
Better Health Alaska: Expert Treatment of Sprains and Strains
If you’ve ever sprained your ankle or strained your lower back, we don’t have to tell you how aggravating sprains and strains can be. Both conditions are not only very painful, but result in swelling and a decrease in mobility of the affected joint or other area.
Fortunately, our healthcare team at Better Health Alaska, founded by our very own CEO and chief chiropractor, Dr. Brent Wells, is particularly skilled at dealing with these two issues. Since 1998, we’ve provided expert holistic care for sprains and strains to many thousands of Alaskans.
We have at our disposal a number of techniques to help ease your pain and heal your injury:
- Chiropractic Care
- Physical Therapy
- And Chiropractic Massage Therapy
… when needed, and tips on home health strategies, like ice therapy, in simpler cases.
Reach out to the holistic health team most trusted in Anchorage. Reach out to Better Health Alaska.
Better Health Alaska: What to Expect
Sprains and strains are very common injuries. Our expert healthcare staff has dealt with them many times through the years we’ve served the Anchorage community.
Your First Visit
Upon entry to our office, you’ll be greeted warmly and referred to one of our top-tier chiropractors. After a brief discussion of your symptoms and an exam, you’ll receive a diagnosis to determine which condition you are suffering from.
Both sprains and strains normally involve pain, swelling, and hampered mobility in the region affected. Treatment usually starts with the RICE approach:
- Rest,
- Ice,
- Compress,
- And Elevate.
However, other treatments may be required in more difficult cases. In very severe cases, surgery may be needed. Your chiropractor will be able to determine the scope and severity of your injury and the best way of treating it.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Treatment for Sprains and Strains
In addition to the RICE method mentioned above, your chiropractor can provide other advice and help to guide you in your recovery. If necessary, he or she can provide chiropractic care services to speed the healing. Additionally, our office also offers chiropractic massage and physical therapy – both of which are powerful healing tools.
Many people in Anchorage start regular long-term treatment to not only help heal an injury, but also to maintain health going forward. Incorporating such into your regular routine is not unlike developing an exercise regimen and it has similar benefits.
In addition to strengthening the body overall, it can strengthen the smaller muscle groups and make them more durable – which can help prevent strains and sprains in the first place.
With top-notch skills and unmatched knowledge, you’ll find the best chiropractors for sprains and strains here at Better Health Alaska. Reach out for more info.
What Are the Symptoms of Sprains and Strains?
You mean you’ve never sprained your ankle or strained your neck or lower back before? Both typically involve pain and swelling, along with limited mobility in the impacted area. Sprains are known to cause swelling (for example a purplish ankle after a good sprain). Strains can cause muscle spasms (like in the lower back when you stand up after sitting at the computer for two hours). Early care can help to decrease the risk of further injury or a more serious condition.
What Causes Sprains and Strains?
Imagine you’re jogging at a moderate pace, and suddenly your forward foot hits a hole you didn’t see and twists with the full brunt of your body weight and momentum. Most of the time it’ll feel horrible – painful pressure, inflammation or burning, and lack of motion (AFTER…the adrenaline wears off later on). Strains happen when you demand too much from a muscle and the tendons all at once, or over a period of time through repetitive motions.
- Sprains: Twisted Joint
- Strains: Overburdened Muscle
How to Treat Sprains and Strains?
When not severe, over-the-counter meds, ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams, and rest often take care of the issue. Once you get into the severe categories, that’s when everyone gets to sign your cast or wrap. If you’re Alaskan, afterward you can come and visit Better Health Chiropractic and we’ll help you with physical therapy, chiropractic care services, and chiropractic massage therapy to ensure a speedy, healthy recovery. If you don’t take care of them, both sprains and strains can become a lifelong problem. It’s important to protect your body and visit a clinic when you feel the symptoms are too severe.
How Long Does it Take to Heal a Sprain or a Strain?
Well, in most cases an ordinary strain or sprain can take about a week to heal, whereas a bad one can take 3 weeks to over a month, depending on what’s been injured. For example, a Grade 3 strain to your ACL could mean surgery. What’s important is to use RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation, as quickly as possible after you begin feeling pain.
How to Prevent Sprains and Strains?
Well, truth be told most sprains and strains happen by accident. Or, they happen suddenly without warning after long periods of stress. To help prevent strains, know what your body is capable of currently, when you’ve taken things a bit too far, and when your body gives you a warning. The best thing you can do to avoid strains is to exercise regularly in ways that challenge the smaller muscle groups that often are there to support the larger muscles and joints. For example, don’t always just do squats and deadlifts. Do some balancing and agility-building exercises as well.
Sprains & Strains Stretches
Often here at Better Health Alaska, we help people recovering from severe sprains and strains through physical therapy rehabilitation. This involves specific types of stretching, depending on the impacted area, which assists the body in healing itself and re-strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments, and their connections.